Cabela's - Ultramax Bulk Ammo

[knb]

I bought 1,200 rounds of Ultramax remanufactured ammo for my two .357 Sig pistols thinking it would be inexpensive rounds to shoot and the brass could then be reloaded. I do not like nickel plated brass to shoot or reload so I passed on other brands of bulk ammo that indicated some rounds might be nickel plated. The Cabela's ad did not indicate any nickel plated brass and the pictures were all of all brass rounds so I bought. When the order arrived I found 1,085 of the 1,200 rounds were nickel plated. I contacted Cabela's and while they were polite they would not accept a return (apparently it is more hazardous for me to ship to them than it is for them to ship to me), told me I should expect this for "remanufactured ammo" (have shot lots of Ultramax in the past and no nickel plated rounds appeared) and offered to settle up with me for a $20 gift card. If you are a reloaded and don't like nickel plated brass stay away from this stuff. You won't like it and Cabela's will be of no help. I have spent my last penny with them.

[RiverRider]

I've gotten browned off at Cabela's myself over customer service issues and swore I'd never darken their doorways again, but I've forgiven them and do a little business when it suits me. It was just another case of my having been in the wrong place at the wrong time and having to wait...and wait...and wait, while someone who was incapable of making good decisions to resolve a problem dithered endlessly.

I think it's common for merchants to implement a "no-return" policy on ammunition. While there is no law that I am aware of that mandates the policy, I think it makes good business sense because of liability issues. Someone could tamper with ammo and make it unsafe and then take it back. Why someone would do such a thing is beyond me, but it has happened with some consumer products and other innocent people were harmed. A tamper-resistant seal works fine for Tylenol (as far as I know), but how could an ammunition manufacturer or merchant protect themselves and the public? Ammunition is one of those things you don't want on your shelves if there's any question of safety...peoples' lives and limbs are at stake.

By the way, I feel the same way about nickel-plated brass. The subject is great fodder for a never-ending argument. I'd suggest making it available for a face-to-face sale at an attractive price. Take a $10 hit, then shop for some ammo that suits you. Or, shoot it up and collect the brass and sell it. There are websites devoted to component swapping and selling.

I know none of my suggestions will soothe your ire, but sometimes there are no options available for you to get exactly what you want the way you want it. Take another option, move past the incident, and forget it (easier said than done often times, I know!). Life's too short to stew on these things for any more than a day.

[suthdj]

CTD has a no return policy also, not a big deal. However in your situation I agree you were misled however there is that saying "Buyer beware" not that it provides any comfort. The advice above I think is very sound, move on and beware in the future.

[knb]

The good news is that I am over it, just happen to be over Cabela's as well. Your points on returns are valid and I would totally agree in virtually all cases. In this case where they misrepresented the product they could have at least done something reasonable to make it right, even if it wasn't taking it back. I have already concluded that I will shoot it up, collect it and see if anyone likes to reload .357 Sig in nickel plated cases, if not the trash can isn't hard to find. I don't really like shooting it but as long as it shoots okay it won't hurt the guns to run 500 rounds through each of them and then go back to better ammo. My real frustration is that Cabela's handled it so poorly and I have historically had very good service from them. Oh well, no one seems to provide much service these days!

[Beiruty]

All the time, I find Cabela's prices higher than Walmart or Cheaperthandirt. Now all said stores less than 4 miles apart in North of Dallas.

[Excaliber]

In fairness to Cabelas, I don't see they did anything wrong here.

Remanufactured ammo very often contains mixed brands and types of cases. Unless the description of the product stated specifically that all cases would be brass, I don't see any reason to expect that nickel plated cases wouldn't be in the mix, or even almost the entire lot as in this case.

The product is sold for shooting, not reloading. If it doesn't shoot you've got a legitimate issue. If the type of cases used don't meet your individual preference for reloading, that's not a knock on either the reloader or the seller unless you called prior to purchase for a clarification and they represented that the cases would all be plain brass.

I also support the no return policy every ammo dealer I know follows because I wouldn't want to put ammunition that someone else has taken home and stored under unknown conditions in my gun.

I would suggest viewing this experience as a lesson learned in questions to ask before purchase rather than as a reason to knock a reputable retailer.

[knb]

Cabela's sign your paycheck?

I checked several sites before I bought, sites that carried brands other than Ultramax and they all noted that the rounds were either all brass or might include some nickel plated brass. Cabela's made no note of nickel plated brass and showed a picture that included all full brass cases. If you have to question everything sold by a "reputable retailer" why did they not disclose it like the rest of the websites do? If nickel plating is "no big deal" why do all of the major manufacturers make a note of nickel plating if that is the case? I respect your opinion and your right to voice it but I question the basis from which it comes.

[i8godzilla]

In fairness to Cabelas, I don't see they did anything wrong here.

Remanufactured ammo very often contains mixed brands and types of cases. Unless the description of the product stated specifically that all cases would be brass, I don't see any reason to expect that nickel plated cases wouldn't be in the mix, or even almost the entire lot as in this case.

The product is sold for shooting, not reloading. If it doesn't shoot you've got a legitimate issue. If the type of cases used don't meet your individual preference for reloading, that's not a knock on either the reloader or the seller unless you called prior to purchase for a clarification and they represented that the cases would all be plain brass.

I also support the no return policy every ammo dealer I know follows because I wouldn't want to put ammunition that someone else has taken home and stored under unknown conditions in my gun.

I would suggest viewing this experience as a lesson learned in questions to ask before purchase rather than as a reason to knock a reputable retailer.

So, when you go to a restaurant and the picture is of a T-bone, the description says 100% beef, you are okay when they bring you a hamburger?

[Excaliber]

Cabela's sign your paycheck?

I checked several sites before I bought, sites that carried brands other than Ultramax and they all noted that the rounds were either all brass or might include some nickel plated brass. Cabela's made no note of nickel plated brass and showed a picture that included all full brass cases. If you have to question everything sold by a "reputable retailer" why did they not disclose it like the rest of the websites do? If nickel plating is "no big deal" why do all of the major manufacturers make a note of nickel plating if that is the case? I respect your opinion and your right to voice it but I question the basis from which it comes.

To answer your question, I do not now nor ever have had any type of financial arrangement with Cabelas.

I expressed a considered opinion, which is what this forum exists for sharing. You didn't pay for it, and you're free to ignore it and go on about your business in the same way that got you into the situation you're complaining about while expecting a different result next time.

The cheap shot was uncalled for.

If other vendors either state that cases may contain a mix of brass and nickel (or are all brass), an ad that shows a picture of a few cartridges and doesn't specify case composition should motivate someone who is interested in that unspecified aspect of the product to ask clarifying questions before purchase. If the ad doesn't make any representation regarding what you see as a make or break part of the deal in other than a picture of a part of the product, the responsibility to make inquiries before purchase rests with you. It's similar to a situation where you choose to shoot only Bullseye propellant in your guns, the ad doesn't say anything about the powder, and you want to return an order because you find the cartridges were loaded with Unique.

Cabelas delivered shootable reloaded cartridges in the caliber you ordered. If you want to order brass cases, you'll find them on another page in their catalog.

[speedsix]

...cheap shots are kinda like spittin' in the coffee pot...ruins it for everyone...disagree, make your point, but leave the thread like you found it...or maybe even better...